Duwamish (tribe)

Duwamish is a Native American tribe in western Washington state in the United States. The tribe lives along the small section of Puget Sound in Seattle called Elliott Bay. The famous Chief Seattle was both (by blood) a member of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes.

The Duwamish language belongs to the Salishan family of Native American languages. Some members of the tribe moved onto their reservation in 1855 after the signing of the Point Elliott Treaty. Unlike many other Northwest Coast indigenous groups, many Duwamish did not move to reservation lands yet still maintain much of their cultural heritage today. Like many Northwest Coast natives, the Duwamish relied heavily on fishing for their survival and their livelihood.

The Lushootseed (language of several Salishan groups) word for the Duwamish people is x^wduʔabš.

External links

• Duwamish tribe homepage
• Duwamish history and culture page